Maisonettes: Little Homes in the Big City

Have you ever strolled by a doctor's office on the ground floor of a brownstone, or in a regal building on Park Avenue, and been nostalgic for days when using local businesses was the norm?

Considering how intimidating hospitals and medical complexes can be, we appreciate smaller ground-floor offices integrated into neighborhoods, which can often be found in historic districts. These ground floor spaces are called "masionettes", or "little home" in French.  Masionettes often have high ceilings, private yards, access to building amenities and sometimes a private entrance.

  

Today we are mulling over an article written by Amy Zimmer, who has identified a trend in the NYC real estate market, in which these spaces are being reclaimed for residential use. Read her full article here: www.dnainfo.com We noticed that 998 Fifth Avenue, designed by McKim, Mead & White has undergone such a transformation.  Another, according to Curbed, was proposed as a triplex conversion at 830 Park Avenue. Check it out at: www.curbed.com

Contrary to Zimmer's observation, over the last decade LFA's clients on the UES and UWS of Manhattan have converted ground floor residential apartments into doctors' offices, though we can see that in a thriving estate market, these unique units have a lot of appeal as residential spaces, too.  Although ground floor spaces are closer to traffic, they are  often easier to access without taking the stairs.  Working with new clients, LFA Architects is incorporating design choices that allow "Aging in Place", working with specialist Stacey Kmetyk (loveyourplace.com).  

We enjoy spotting ground floor maisonettes on Sunday jaunts in neighborhoods like Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights.  If you have an unusual project or architectural challenge, look us up at LFAArchitecture.com.

Photo 1: streetview of an oral surgery practice in Park Slope, Brooklyn
Photo 2: as found on Curbed.com July 31, 2012  attributed to Corcoran Group Real Estate

How to Establish Local Historic Districts (shared)

Just wanted to share this amazing resource from National Trust for Historic Preservation

[10 on Tuesday] Toolkit Round-Up: How to Establish Local Historic Districts - - PreservationNation Blog

Arts Outside Manhattan

Its true, there is art outside of the five boroughs. This summer, explore beyond NYC. See some artwork, feel a fresh breeze and enjoy Nature.

 
















Wave Hill is a public garden in the Bronx, with sweeping views of the Hudson River and the Palisades.  They have gardens: aquatic garden, herb and flower garden, pergola and Abrons woodland. The also have a several gallery spaces and an artist-in-residence program dedicated to exhibiting contemporary art that explores nature. On view now is "Tending Toward the Untamed: Artists Respond to the Wild Garden"
http://www.wavehill.org/arts

Storm King Art Center is a 500 acre outdoor sculpture park located just 50 miles north of Manhattan.  It includes sculptures by revered artists of our times including: Lynda Benglis, Louise Bourgeois, Henry Moore and Ursula von Rydingsvard, to name but a few.
http://www.stormking.org/about/   Mark diSuvero (left)

For those New Yorkers who enjoy the thrill of the chase, discover a hidden gem right under your nose!  Only open to the public Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays, hop on a ferry, and head over to Governor's Island to check out their special programming.
In August, check out a day of 1920s-themed dancing, drinking, games and picnicking. Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra will be providing period-appropriate music all weekend long, and costumes are encouraged. Jazz Age Lawn Party Saturday and Sunday August 18-19 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., tickets $15 in advance. And look forward to the Governors Island Art Fair every weekend in September featuring over 100 independent artists and a selection of galleries. More info here:  http://www.4heads.org/

If you want to get out of the city, but still stay cool inside, you will find a treasure trove of early video art at the Dia: Beacon, only 60 miles north of Manhattan, in the show titled, "Circa 1971: Early Video & Film from the EAI Archive" featuring seminal work from artists including: Gordon Matta Clark, Eleanor Antin and Joan Jonas.  Or walk the grounds on July 14, by  taking part in the educational tour "Reclaiming Nature through Art" examining the work of artists: Walter DeMaria, Robert Smithson, Joseph Beuys. Of course, the Dia: Beacon is packed full of amazing work, for more information: http://www.diacenter.org

Weisenberger Mills, est.1865

Weisenberger Mill is a good example of a historic mill. It was purchased by August Weisenberger in 1865, after he emigrated from Germany. The mill is still in operation today, run by the sixth generation of the Weisenberger family.  it was added to the list of National Register of Historic Places in 1984.  National_Register_of_Historic_Places

 

The mill is nestled on banks of the South Elkhorn Creek, in the heart of central Kentucky near Midway, bordering Scott and Woodford Counties.

 

Specializing in wheat flour and white cornmeal,  ground by stone, the family has branched out into cornbread and spoonbread mixes, as well as fish batter.   Above is a stone once used to grind grains into powder.
www.weisenberger.com